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Related Concept Videos

An Overview of the Endocrine System01:10

An Overview of the Endocrine System

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The endocrine system, a complex network of glands, orchestrates physiological balance within the body through the production and secretion of hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers in intercellular communication, acting as conduits between the secretory cells and distant target sites. They traverse the circulatory system by being released into the extracellular fluid, and their impact is specific to cells possessing receptors for a particular hormone.
The endocrine system collaborates...
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Types of Toxins01:36

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Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
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Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

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When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
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Regulation of Hormone Secretion01:19

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Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral...
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Target Cell Response to Hormones01:22

Target Cell Response to Hormones

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Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
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Structures of the Endocrine System00:59

Structures of the Endocrine System

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The intricate framework of the endocrine system encompasses a diverse array of glands, with their target tissues and organs strategically distributed throughout the body. Central to this network are the endocrine glands, specialized structures that lack ducts and release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid. Notably, the hypothalamus, a vital neuroendocrine organ situated in the brain, governs neural functions and serves as a potent source of hormonal regulation. Near the hypothalamus...
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Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays
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Current concepts in neuroendocrine disruption.

Martha León-Olea1, Christopher J Martyniuk2, Edward F Orlando3

  • 1Departamento de Neuromorfología Funcional, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, R.F.M., México D.F., México.

General and Comparative Endocrinology
|February 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Environmental contaminants like pesticides and pharmaceuticals disrupt fish and wildlife neuroendocrine systems, impacting reproduction, development, and behavior. These effects, even at low doses, pose risks to populations and ecosystems.

Keywords:
Bisphenol AGrowthOrganochlorine pesticidesPharmaceuticalsPolychlorinated biphenylsReproduction

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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster
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Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays
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Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster
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Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Environmental contaminants are increasingly recognized for their impact on neuroendocrine systems across diverse species.
  • Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like bisphenol A and phthalates interfere with hormonal regulation.
  • Neuroactive pharmaceuticals, such as fluoxetine, are prevalent in aquatic environments, posing additional risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of representative environmental contaminants on neuroendocrine systems in various animal species.
  • To highlight the impact of these disruptors on reproduction, development, behavior, and population dynamics.
  • To emphasize the critical role of exposure timing, particularly during embryonic development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on neuroendocrine disruptors and their effects.
  • Focus on specific examples of contaminants including organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, EDCs, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Analysis of impacts on gene expression, hormone receptors, and various physiological axes (HPG, thyroid, stress).

Main Results:

  • Organochlorine pesticides alter gene expression and hormone receptor function, affecting GnRH signaling and neurotransmitter systems.
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls induce varied neuroendocrine and behavioral effects, impacting sexual differentiation and physiological axes.
  • EDCs and pharmaceuticals cause widespread neuroendocrine disruption, leading to behavioral changes, reproductive issues, and potential health problems.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental contaminants act as potent neuroendocrine disruptors, affecting a wide range of species at environmentally relevant concentrations.
  • Timing of exposure is crucial, with embryonic development being particularly sensitive.
  • Cumulative and transgenerational effects of these contaminants warrant further investigation for population and evolutionary consequences.